tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post8489058961054992597..comments2023-09-21T12:36:46.064+01:00Comments on Taming the Goblin: The Sunday Parenting Party - Breast feedingThe Monkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02015980234917286789noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-91128520345816532462013-11-19T01:38:43.251+00:002013-11-19T01:38:43.251+00:00When I had my first child I felt pressured into br...When I had my first child I felt pressured into breast feeding. I went ahead and did so, but it hurt extremely bad. My daughter had cut one of my nipples right off the bat. The other nipple just hurt. I tried to speak with several medical professionals about what to do. I tried speaking to a lactation specialist. I kept getting told not to give up and it would get better. I was told it was what was best for my daughter. I was told to continue using the cream on my nipples as that would heal them. I kept at it for two weeks, until I found myself crying in the middle of the night while she breastfed as it hurt that bad. I spoke with my cousin the next morning who encouraged me not to quit, but to bottlefeed her for a couple days and only pump. She also told me to quit using the cream. I was told how bad of an idea this was by several people including the lactation specialist. I was told that by doing this, she would not latch back on as babies don't go back and forth from bottle to breast. I thought to myself it's either I do this or I quit. So I tried it...my nipples caliced over in two days and I was able to breast feed her with no issues after that. She had no issues swtiching back and forth. For anyone who is thinking about quitting due to how bad it hurts, I would suggest trying what I did first. I'm getting ready to have my second child and intend on breast feeding again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-39778239954928515932013-04-29T22:28:22.319+01:002013-04-29T22:28:22.319+01:00Thank goodness for some rationality and common sen...Thank goodness for some rationality and common sense in the cyber space world of mommy-hood! All too often I feel like woman get beat up on for not parenting in what others consider to be the "right" way and it's like these people just can't stop banging the drum. Look at even a few of the comments here where people felt the need to chime in with why breast feeding is beneficial . . no one argues that it isn't, but if you can't or it's not realistically working out, how is that beneficial? People need to be more open, understanding, and supportive of each other. People also need to realize that parenting a certain way doesn't make them a better parent or a better person. Each individual has to make unique choices for their own children and families.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-35091594887360984162013-04-28T16:20:31.813+01:002013-04-28T16:20:31.813+01:00All so true. I got so tired of hearing that my la...All so true. I got so tired of hearing that my latch must be wrong if it hurt. Both my babes were good latchers, but chompers. I gave up early with dd#1 for a variety of reasons and I felt guilty and sad. With #2, I decided that nursing her was my job and we survived chomping and thrush and early weight loss to nurse for seven months. Not the full year that is recommended, but I felt so much better about it. In all fairness, a number of things were different with #2, including her temperament and the presence of a supportive husband. We do need to remember that natural does not always mean easy. :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16822748565257812165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-81918396047985582992013-03-18T04:42:33.633+00:002013-03-18T04:42:33.633+00:00Thanks for this post! I breastfed both daughters p...Thanks for this post! I breastfed both daughters pretty easily but I do think there is a lot of unnecessary guilt that goes on. I also want to remind mothers of babies to try to have long term perspective in mind. While we all do our best on these choices when they are infants, there will be a whole lot of parenting to come. The day will come when you are able to look back on the early days and realize the breastfeeding decision is but a small part of what you will do for your child. Try not to sweat it and be gentle on yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-66332817232414957592013-03-17T04:50:37.479+00:002013-03-17T04:50:37.479+00:00I just had my first beautiful baby girl ten days a...I just had my first beautiful baby girl ten days ago, and man did I need this post! It makes me feel 100x better! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-71913552173655031392013-03-15T14:59:30.405+00:002013-03-15T14:59:30.405+00:00This is a great post - we're having an extra l...This is a great post - we're having an extra link up at the Baby Shower this week specifically for breastfeeding posts and would love for to link this up, Alice @ Mums Make Lists xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12272097956265786825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-12635411138605806792013-03-12T19:07:28.685+00:002013-03-12T19:07:28.685+00:00An amazing post that will help a lot of mothers fe...An amazing post that will help a lot of mothers feel not so alone with their breastfeeding <br /><br />Just wanted to let you know that I featured this post at this week's Sunday Parenting Party. =)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18074723385090544014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-57218332974045802892013-03-03T03:19:48.351+00:002013-03-03T03:19:48.351+00:00Love your post, I nursed my first child for 6 mont...Love your post, I nursed my first child for 6 months, the second for 9 months, and my current child is 4 months. There is definitely nothing easy about breast feeding. In the beginning with all three I got sore nipples, engorgement, one I got mastitis, two I got thrush. Not to mention exhaustion in the beginning from being the only one to get up and feed them, which usually took an hour. They say it helps with weight loss, I was always starving and didn't really lose the rest of the weight until I was done nursing. I mostly pump because I work full time and finding a private place to pump isn't always easy. I also pump because I always feel awkward nursing around people, even relatives. Weaning isn't painless or the easiest either. I do it for the health benefits for my kids and save on formula costs. I have noticed that my kids didn't get sick as much as the other kids at daycare. My current child has been pretty healthy so far, when others have been pretty sick with respiratory issues the winter. There are also times when it is nice to get that one on one bonding time and snuggle with them. I think whatever works for baby and mom leads to a happy family. Breast feeding to me is kind of like exercising/working out. It takes a lot of dedication and after about a month it gets easier and more of a routine, but not always my favorite thing to doAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14157011814628384969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-69156087267817327022013-02-27T08:38:18.105+00:002013-02-27T08:38:18.105+00:00Thank you for this post...i had tears in my eyes a...Thank you for this post...i had tears in my eyes as i read it as breastfeeding has been such a huge source of guilt for me and contributed to postnatal depression twice. I tried so hard with my first baby and did the same with the twins...thought i was 'better prepared' and had support and help from a lactation consultant and i tried and tried...i was continually on the breast pump just to keep some milk coming but i finally realised i was in a cycle of guilt and depression again and my girls were hungry. I had to forget how society would judge me and just do what would ultimately be best for my health and that of my girls. I wholeheartedly believe that breastfeeding is best but that is not the issue for the majority of Mum's who don't continue feeding...there are so many reasons as to why a Mum may not be able to and i wish for the day when we can all stop judging each other and recognise that not everyone can do it no matter how hard they might try...and it is their right to keep their reasons private and not have to justify.<br />Thank you so much Ray...i am often too scared to write about this topic but i applaud you for going there and writing such a balanced post!<br />Thanks also for featuring me this week...xxxxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07586610467519318424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-42637975539212711782013-02-25T23:10:08.136+00:002013-02-25T23:10:08.136+00:00Thank you for working so hard to find me these sug...Thank you for working so hard to find me these suggestions! Just hearing about other moms weaning at 3 and up makes me feel better. I was feeling like the only mom on the block still nursing and honestly it's hard to feel like the odd (wo)man out. I really need to get hubbie on board with a plan. I think he likes not being responsible for sleep times :)yogamamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02561110304439278085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-40156034149590076092013-02-25T21:01:28.283+00:002013-02-25T21:01:28.283+00:00Another suggestion from my mama tribe
"What w...Another suggestion from my mama tribe<br />"What we did when my son was just 3 was Daddy began to take him to his own bed and sleep with him there to ease him into the transition (until this point he was co-sleeping with us and little sister and only nursing at night). It did take a while before Dad was back in the big bed, but in the meantime they were able to have some special time together. 2 years on and it's still Daddy that tucks him in at night while I nurse little sister."The Monkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015980234917286789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-25495707221435392402013-02-25T16:39:16.014+00:002013-02-25T16:39:16.014+00:00Thank you so much for writing this post! I tried ...Thank you so much for writing this post! I tried EVERYTHING (from pumping to a supplemental nursing system, to herbs and special diets) and could never get a full supply for any of my three kids. I was able to breastfeed my daughter (with tons of formula supplementation) for 8 months, though. I think between the 3 kids I experienced every challenge possible: tongue tie, lip tie (with a frenulectomy), NICU babies who weren't allowed to nurse at first, low supply probably due to my own hormones/insulin levels since I was Diabetic. It was exhausting and discouraging and left me feeling like I had missed my babies' first months because I was so focused on trying to build supply and improve latch. I'm glad I tried everything I could - it was important to me, but I learned full well that breastfeeding is not for everyone and is a VERY personal choice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11631225716302341525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-36405840584509064732013-02-25T15:34:11.592+00:002013-02-25T15:34:11.592+00:00YogaMama, I stopped when Goblin was 7 months becau...YogaMama, I stopped when Goblin was 7 months because I went back to work, so I don't have experience of extended feeding. But I asked some bloggy chums who do and here are some suggestions. <br />"Replacing one feeding every few days with either a light snack or a distraction, depending on the time of the feeding. The feedings in between naps and bedtime I would try to wean first with a distraction, playing games, telling LO to wait a few minutes and ask a bit later (sometimes they forget to ask again), maybe create a box of fun things they can play with only when the child asks to nurse. Then before sleep nursings I would take slowly, one every couple weeks. Naptime I'd do a light snack and water to fill up bellies and figure out what soothes your baby, for example, my babies liked to be patted on the back. For bedtime I had to do a whole new routine, bath, jammies, book, back patting. No more rocking from me because they could smell it!"<br />"I slowly cut out one feeding every week or so. Daytime feedings were easiest bc you can distract with activity. And for nap and bedtime I matter of factly told her there was no more milk left. I made sure to feed her yogurt right before bed. My oldest weaned at 22 mos. She is also very logical so just telling her there was no more milk worked."<br />"When my oldest was still nursing at 3.5 and I was done, we threw him a weaning party. We had a cake and streamers and got him prepared for "no more mommy milk". I'm not sure if that would be doable at 29 months - depends on the child!"<br />I hope some of those suggestions might help. The Monkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015980234917286789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-15870087042434187722013-02-25T00:03:08.878+00:002013-02-25T00:03:08.878+00:00Does anyone have advice on breastfeeding toddlers ...Does anyone have advice on breastfeeding toddlers or weaning? I didn't have a hard time starting breastfeeding (I know, lucky me) but I'm having a hard time stopping. My daughter is 29 months (2 and almost a half) and it's been great but I never thought I'd be breastfeeding a toddler. I wanted to "mostly" do attachment parenting and she is very attached. <br /><br />I heard other mothers say their kids just stopped on their own or that they slowly backed off the number of feedings. It's not working. I tried vinegar on the nipples and that didn't work either. It doesn't help that my husband cries when she cries (he hates her being upset for any reason), so "crying it out" is disasterous since she can cry for hours.yogamamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02561110304439278085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-50229237212417702013-02-24T22:00:20.215+00:002013-02-24T22:00:20.215+00:00Thanks so much for featuring me this week and for ...Thanks so much for featuring me this week and for commenting on my blog too! I will now link up another post for this week too x xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610843552921892203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-71714676628233167532013-02-24T13:33:03.058+00:002013-02-24T13:33:03.058+00:00I think it is true that breastfeeding is a complex...I think it is true that breastfeeding is a complex endeavor, like most of mothering. There have been many, many times that I have felt like giving up breastfeeding for many of the reasons that your mention above. I wish that I had support and encouragement to continue. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to turn to who breastfed. Luckily, my husband has been very supportive and I have been able to make it through the rough times. The benefit to my daughter has outweighed the rough patches for me.<br /><br />I do want to add one thing to your point about depression, though. Breastfeeding releases Oxytocin, which is known to decrease depression. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06644197778332602406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-67015505052344340332013-02-24T12:36:15.569+00:002013-02-24T12:36:15.569+00:00Do you mind if I share a thought from the other ca...Do you mind if I share a thought from the other camp? I formula-fed my older son, but was determined to try breastfeeding my younger son, mostly because of (what I see now as) mommy guilt. I tried BFing Pie the night he was born (it didn't work) and then tried pumping the next day (I pumped for 30 minutes and got about a teaspoonful of milk). I wholeheartedly decided to give up. When I saw my grandma the next day and she asked me if I was breastfeeding or not, I told her the whole story, and she gave me the biggest affirmation ever: "Good for you. Trying to breastfeed a baby when you have a toddler in the house is just too dang hard!"<br /><br />Bottom line: we all do what's best for our families. I'm not judging anyone's decision.<br /><br />(Oh, BTW--I'm one of three sisters. My mom formula-fed me and my middle sister and breastfed my youngest sister, who became a Ph.D. We always have a laugh about that.)pricklymomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08554734347924782262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-52065949809807676982013-02-24T03:18:13.692+00:002013-02-24T03:18:13.692+00:00Wonderful post. I couldn't agree more. I'v...Wonderful post. I couldn't agree more. I've had two friends in the past couple of months who have had babies with tongue tie issues! Sharing all over the place and Pinning!Stephaniehttp://www.two-daloo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-28260341283133510662013-02-24T03:01:28.469+00:002013-02-24T03:01:28.469+00:00It's good to read about other mum's breast...It's good to read about other mum's breastfeeding experiences. I really love breastfeeding, and once I got past the sensitive first couple of weeks first time round I was pretty lucky. Good attachment and supply. I did get the occasional lump but the main challenge with Dino Boy was how much he liked looking around while feeding! With Little Miss Q we have been lucky it ha been easy. My challenge now is managing people's reactions to me still feeding her at 20 months. Thanks for sharing this!Happy Whimsical Heartshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18288987013248899335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-34764846601537348142013-02-24T01:28:13.087+00:002013-02-24T01:28:13.087+00:00Thanks for writing such an important post. I was l...Thanks for writing such an important post. I was lucky that breastfeeding my two children was a wonderful experience except for the initial soreness. But for mothers who have difficulty, it's so good for them to know they're not alone. Deb Chitwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16665549481411417908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-83994683180964437412013-02-23T22:29:10.461+00:002013-02-23T22:29:10.461+00:00But it gets easier and easier everyday! You shoul...But it gets easier and easier everyday! You should also do a post on why you like it, if you do like it :) I enjoy it. Thanks for sharing and hosting! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00616836371628639681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-33086229832008664412013-02-23T20:28:34.236+00:002013-02-23T20:28:34.236+00:00This does definitely need to be said. Breast feedi...This does definitely need to be said. Breast feeding is not always possible, and when it is it is possible it's nt always easy. It's a great shame the whole subject has got so political because no one feels like they can tell the truth. I have two sons and two stories. Neither is easy to tell. My first story is that some babies cannot BF. No really. Physically impossible. My other story is that sometimes it is easy, straight forward and doesn't hurt at all.<br /><br />Number one was born with a cleft lip and palate so breast feeding was out of the question as he couldn't physically suck. That said I'm very proud of the fact that I expressed for over 3 months exclusively for him and fed him my milk in special squeezy bottles because of the lack of sucking. It was very hard work, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone and would probably not have managed it if he had been number two. Number two was completely different. I don't know if I would have got started with him if it hadn't been for a really nice nurse in hospital who got us started. I kept telling the midwives that I didn't know what to do and even though it said otherwise on my notes they should treat me like a first time mum, because I'd never done this BF thing before. However once I got started I was lucky. It was easy for us. It never hurt. He didn't lose any weight even from day one, gained a pound a week for the first five weeks and never looked back. Yes it was hard work having a boy who wanted to feed for ten mins out of every hour but after son number one it was a dream! son number one who could take a whole hour having a bottle of milk squeezed into him, a further hour to bring most of it up again, and at least half an hour to express enough for the next feed, not to mention the time it took to wash up and sterilise everything.... So take hope new mums sometimes breast feeding is easy, at least compared to some of the alternatives!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06752744009006789862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-19720203409607787912013-02-23T20:26:13.434+00:002013-02-23T20:26:13.434+00:00What a great post! I wish I had read this before ...What a great post! I wish I had read this before having my kids, would have saved a lot of unnecessary guilt. Just beautiful and thoughtfully presented!Angela@mamarosemary.comhttp://mamarosemary.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-2018587218949647672013-02-23T16:35:55.244+00:002013-02-23T16:35:55.244+00:00Well done on this post. I breastfed my first until...Well done on this post. I breastfed my first until 23 months, just shy of the 2 year recommendations, and it was hard work. People (childless friends for example) seem to think it was easy just because I breastfed for so long. Latching on pain (especially the first fortnight). Constant "getting my boobs out" in public embarrassment, especially since early days my babies fed every 1.5 hours. Worry over supply - either over or under depending on the day. Wanting my body to myself again. People don't talk about this stuff...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03359434044034424315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437312531314961361.post-5608298763289548432013-02-23T13:19:46.073+00:002013-02-23T13:19:46.073+00:00I love this post. I wasn't able to breastfeed ...I love this post. I wasn't able to breastfeed my oldest and I felt like a complete failure because of it. I was able to breastfeed my youngest and it hurt so badly in the beginning that I was sure I was doing something wrong and again felt like a failure. I really wish there was more honest information like this out there. It seems like it's only after you have problems that you find out you're not alone.Mud Hut Mamahttp://www.mudhutmama.comnoreply@blogger.com